Slovakia
Slovakia performs in the high range with regard to two categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework, Representation and Rights, and it exhibits mid-range performance in Rule of Law and Participation. It is among the world’s top 25 per cent of performers in all factors of performance except Civil Society, Civic Engagement and Electoral Participation. Between 2018-2023, Slovakia has not shown any significant declines, but has advanced in Freedom of Expression. Slovakia has a high-income economy based largely on services and manufacturing (with a particularly robust automotive sector). It has one of the lowest levels of income inequality among OECD countries, but the western and eastern regions of the country vary considerably in terms of GDP per capita.
The historical lands of Slovakia were ruled by Hungary from the 11th century, and were incorporated into the federation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. Czechoslovakia was occupied by Nazi Germany (1938-45) and later the Soviet Union (1948-89). Slovakia came into being in 1992, the result of a peaceful separation between Slovakia and Czechia, known as the Velvet Divorce. This separation was the result of the rise of nationalist ideas, the lack of a uniform Czechoslovak identity, and the gradual decentralization of political power. Today, Slovakian politics show a high degree of political party volatility, with frequent merging and splintering. The emergence of new parties is not uncommon, especially to challenge dominant parties associated with corruption. Slovakia’s international orientation is another central issue. Recently, polarization has increased between pro-European liberal parties and nationalist-populist parties, with support to Ukraine as a key political fault line. The impact of polarization in the country has been an area of growing concern following an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024.
Today, the largest minority groups include Hungarians and the Roma, whose populations often face discrimination, social exclusion, and lack of access to housing and jobs. In 2023, the European Commission referred Slovakia to the European Court of Justice due to a lack of action in preventing the systemic discrimination and segregation of Roma children in schools. Recent reports document the use of Beneš Decrees, a World War II remnant that allows the state to confiscate land belonging to ethnic Hungarians without compensation. Additionally, Slovakia has experienced rising anti-immigration rhetoric, especially following the 2015 migration crisis, and has been criticized for its immigrant detention practices. Finally, Slovakia faces challenges with press freedom, intimidation and shrinking civic space, highlighted by the assassination of the investigative journalist, Ján Kuciak.
According to the GSoD Indices, Slovakia has been consistently mid-performing in Gender Equality. Women are under-represented in political decision-making, hampered by traditional gender stereotypes. Women’s equal and full political participation is also challenged by attacks and criticisms during the election period. There have also been intensifying threats against the LGTBQIA+ community, including a terrorist attack at an LGBTQIA+ bar in 2022.
Going forward, Rule of Law and Absence of Corruption should be watched closely, particularly since recent policies threaten to stymie investigations of high-level corruption cases, including penal code reform abolishing the office of the Special Prosecutor. It will also be important to safeguard civic space, as the response to the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico threatens to adversely impact Freedom of Association and Assembly, and in view of proposals surrounding NGO access to funding from abroad. Freedom of the Press merits close attention, particularly to ensure accountability for violence against journalists and counter threats to the independence of the public broadcaster.
Last updated: September 2024
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August 2024
Government disbands the National Crime Agency tasked with investigating corruption
On 8 August, the Government announced that the National Crime Agency (NAKA) will be dismantled, effective 31 August. NAKA, an elite police unit tasked with investigating serious crimes, part of which involves cases of high-level corruption, terrorism and organized crime, was also a partner of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). The Government justifies the decision as part of a broader reform of the Criminal Code, which has received approval from the Constitutional Court and also resulted in the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office. The Government argues that this change is necessary to improve police efficiency in addressing crime, including high-level corruption. NAKA will be replaced by the Office for the Fight Against Organised Crime (ÚBOK), which will redistribute around 700 specially trained police officers to various regional and local districts across the country. The 2024 EU Rule of Law Report on Slovakia (published in July) highlighted the disbandment of NAKA, noting that fewer corruption cases will be handled by this new unit, while more cases will be transferred to lower-level district police directorates.
Sources: Aktuality, The Slovak Spectator, OCCRP, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2), International IDEA (3), Dennikn, Euractiv, European Commission
July 2024
Parliament approves “Lex Assassination” restricting right to assembly
On 27 June, Parliament passed the "Lex Assassination," which the ruling coalition claims aims to enhance security following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Key measures include new rules for disallowing public gatherings that could impact privacy or that raise the risks of clashes among competing events. New measures also include restrictions on gatherings close to residences of individuals related to the gathering's purpose and a host of new allowances for certain officials. Former Justice Minister and opposition MP Mária Kolíková warned the law could lead to a "police state". Amnesty International said the aim is to crack down on the right to peaceful assembly. The law was signed by President Peter Pellegrini on 8 July and took effect on 15 July.
Sources: Aktuality, Amnesty International, Euractiv, Radio Slovakia International (1), Radio Slovakia International (2), International IDEA
Constitutional Court upholds controversial parts of penal code reform
On 3 July, the Constitutional Court ruled that key provisions of a controversial penal code amendment approved by Parliament in February are legal. The legislation was set to take effect in March, but then-President Zuzana Čaputová and opposition parties requested a constitutional review of the reform. This legislation sparked protests across Slovakia, while the ruling coalition expedited the changes by skipping standard review procedures and restricting parliamentary debate. Among the provisions deemed constitutionally valid are the abolition of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which handled cases of organized crime, corruption, and extremism; a reduction in sentences for serious crimes; and shortened statutes of limitations. Opposition parties criticized the reform and the European Commission warned of possible financial repercussions. On 16 July, amid concerns about losing access to EU funds, the Parliament tweaked the Criminal Code, approving harsher penalties for crimes involving EU funding.
Sources: Constitutional Court of Slovakia, Politico, International IDEA, European Interest, Euractiv, European Commission
June 2024
Parliament approves law to abolish current public broadcaster
On 20 June, the Parliament approved a law to abolish the current public media broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), and replace it with Slovak Television and Radio (STVR). Opposition MPs boycotted the vote. Prime Minister Robert Fico claimed the changes were needed due to RTVS's “political bias and conflict with the government.” The law, first introduced in March, sparked protests and concerns over media independence from journalists, media freedom organizations, then-President Zuzana Čaputová, and European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová. In response, the government removed some elements of the bill, including a politically appointed council to coordinate the programming. Despite amendments, the law still permits early dismissal of the current Director-General and Supervisory Board, and grants government control over the STVR Board, violating the European Media Freedom Act. President Peter Pellegrini signed the law on 30 June, and it takes effect on 1 July.
Sources: International IDEA, Associated Press, Euractiv, Jurist, Balkan Insight, International Press Institute, European Federation of Journalists, The Slovak Spectator
May 2024
Prime Minister Robert Fico shot while greeting supporters
On 15 May, a 71-year-old citizen, described as a poet and former security guard, shot Prime Minister Robert Fico multiple times when Fico was greeting supporters after a government meeting in Handlova. Despite being critically injured, Fico survived the shooting. The attacker has been charged with attempted premeditated murder. In a pre-trial detention statement, the shooter cited disagreements with the government policies as the motive for the attack. Politicians in Slovakia and international leaders have condemned the attack. The incident has raised concerns about the polarization of politics in Slovakia, with the interior minister criticizing media outlets and the opposition for their role in shaping public perception. This is Fico’s fourth term as prime minister.
Sources: Startitup, Aktuality (1), Aktuality (2), Deutsche Welle, Politico, Euronews (1), Euronews (2), International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Reuters, International IDEA
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023
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